Santa Barbara Wine Country Ends Successful 2019 Grape Harvest
In Santa Barbara wine country, it’s all over but no crying this year. The 2019 Santa Barbara AVA grape harvest came to an end with little drama and a classic vintage.
According to Greg Martellotto, owner of Martellotto Winery, “The 2019 harvest is high-quality with few remarkable challenges. Similar to 2016, the wines will be balanced, classic, and varietally correct.”
Santa Barbara County, as a whole, experienced a mild spring after a colder winter season. Few summer heat spikes led to more consistent and predictable ripening, longer hang-time, and deeper color.
While there were a few heat spikes, the overall outlook is positive because of the moderate conditions.
Martellotto Winery, located in Buellton, produces wines from grapes grown in the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. With an optimal harvest, Bordeaux varietal grapes revealed almost perfect balance and color.
“After all the hard work and long days, we are celebrating because the rest is easy. We just have to be hands-off in the winery and let the fruit shine,” continued Greg. “Because we harvested at peak ripeness levels, we don’t need to be too hands on with the wine this year. It’s like a chef who lets the ingredients shine through without over seasoning or saucing.”
With an increasing demand among wine consumers and the trade, the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA shows growing pains. As a result of this attention, grape prices are increasing because of severely restricted supply vis-à-vis increasing demand. With only a handful of vineyards, more wineries are on the way.
Happy Canyon produces under-rated Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc that outshine better-known wine regions. This is a revelation to many who know Santa Barbara for high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Cabernet Sauvignon blends reveal fresh berry flavors, round and lush sweetness, and a velvety quality that must be tasted. The warm days and cool nights provide for a natural acidity balanced with smooth tannins.
The wines made from Sauvignon Blanc are complex with a creamy richness, both tropical and floral.
The 2019 vintage offers an excellent opportunity to try these wines at their best.
Given all the climate drama in California in recent years, winemakers in Santa Barbara wine country can breathe freely, having another great vintage resting quietly.
About Martellotto Winery
Set deep in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, Martellotto Winery makes handcrafted, beautiful and exciting wines using selected grapes from across California’s Central Coast. American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) include Happy Canyon AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Santa Ynez Valley AVA, and Santa Maria Valley AVA. Owner and winemaker, Greg Martellotto, specializes in Bordeaux varietals. Martellotto Winery is one of the few wineries producing single varietal wines of all five of the noble Bordeaux grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Contact:
Greg Martellotto, Owner
Martellotto Winery
(619) 567-9244